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Real-time digital transit information displays at trip planning decision points contributed to a five percent decrease in drive-alone commuters.

Commuter access to real-time transit information can reduce wasted time and improve efficiency.

Date Posted
05/23/2017
Identifier
2017-B01138
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Changing Urban Transportation with Real Time Screens

Summary Information

TransitScreen was born as part of a civic technology project at Mobility Lab in Arlington, Virginia. Based on the idea of a multi-modal mass transit board, the concept uses digital screens that connect to a software platform that cities or businesses can use to help people navigate urban environments by informing them about the "what, when, and where" of transportation options. Using the information available, onlookers can compare train times, to bus arrival times, to current Uber surge prices. The information displays are most commonly used in places such as public buildings, coffee shops, high-rise apartment buildings, and on walkways near subway stations and bus stops.

TransitScreens can help eliminate a number of common annoyances to travelers, such as arriving at an empty bike-share station or having an unexpected 15 minutes wait at a bus stop or train station. These information displays not only support travelers with ready access to smartphone apps, but they are useful to others without mobile electronics.

Evaluation

Results from a customer satisfaction study that evaluated six TransitScreen displays installed in commercial building lobbies in Toronto found that 85 percent of tenants found the TransitScreen information useful or extremely useful, and 86 percent found it easy to use. Other studies indicate that TransitScreens effectively influence traveler behavior. In a study of 12 residential lobbies in San Francisco, it was discovered that TransitScreen contributed to a five percent decrease in drive-alone commuters.

Results Type